Auto Toon

  • by Drew

Okay, let me clarify a little. My last post should not indicate to you a total lack of top recording software. In fact, I have a pretty tidy little studio with plenty of appropriate bells and whistles – if not all of contemporary music production’s proposed finery. After all, some of the best recordings ever of some of the greatest tunes conceivable were recorded in a single session with a couple mics. All the pitch correction in the world ain’t gonna make a lousy singer with a hackneyed song worth listening to. In fact, a lot of the excessive tech is responsible for the abhorrent state of contemporary music. If I may be so bold.

Rockin’ It

  • by Drew

I’ve been spending a lot of time, when I can find the time, in the good ol’ home studio. Actually, there’s a bit of new music that should be coming down the pike relatively soon. Might even do a digital-only release of a new Laura’s Invention album. Crazy. I know. Right? Totally. I’m considering my options, but the whole Band Camp platform looks rather suitable for my needs, and even without traktor pro 2 or mega mastering, I think I can rock it alright… in this free world, anyway. I know you’d listen… right?

Storage Issues

  • by Drew

Yes, I do have storage issues. In my time I have been a bit of a media junkie, accumulating hundreds (probably thousands) of CDs, tapes, records, and DVDs. I dealt with my VHS situation a few years ago and now I’m getting ready to deal with my audio cassettes. But my real killer right now is DVDs. My music collection has stabilized quite a bit, so expansion is not much of an ongoing problem. I believe I have adequate, uh, padding.

Movies, though. They keep coming out. And though Netflix and online services have curtailed a good bit of the buying, there are still selections I like to physically own. So lordie, lordie, my kingdom for a really kickass DVD rack. ‘Nuff said?

Lessons

  • by Drew

I’ve started giving guitar lessons in our little local library. It’s a small group setting and my community service vibe is totally on. In a weird way, I’ve developed a tiny clinical-type voice in the back of my head. I guess talking about all the basic details of something that’s been so close to me for so long has me thinking a little differently. It’s like parenting burgeoning rock and rollers or something.

Of course, seeing the passage of time and realizing that some of my instruments are legimately vintage (not in the ebay “I bought this used so it’s vintage” sense, but actually 25 plus years old). I am actually impressed with the great shape most of my instruments are in considering the time I’ve owned and cared for them, but the little in-case humidifiers and things I occasionally use are not what I imagine many years ago.

Those were the days when I saw the classic Van Halen story about having M&Ms with all the browns removed on their rider. Such rock and roll eccentricities prompted my to imagine a demand for an R.L. Stine title at each gig or something equally ludicrous. In that same mindset I imagined a larger than life (Rosemary Caine fans can chuckle) humidor of sorts with large double doors, opening on a cedar lined, temperature controlled room lined with the classic guitars in my collection.

Ahhh… there’s still time, right?

Signature Models

  • by Drew

I’ve been receiving mail order musician supply catalogs for something like 25 years now, so I am usually familiar with what the big guitar companies are putting out. I’ve seen some real doozies over the years, but one thing I am always interested in is the signature model guitars. Sure, there have always been Clapton and Eddie Van Halen models. And in recent years, there are usually a handful of offerings right after a surprise Grammys win, but others kind of surprise me.

It used to be a somewhat rare honor, though. at least, that’s how it seemed to me. Like the Stevie Ray Vaughn model, after his tragic accident, it was a pretty special instrument. But now, it seems to be just another gimmick, at least some of the time.

Like, I adore Rancid, but a Fender acoustic Tim Armstrong model seems a little forced. And when I see an Ace Frehley Gibson I can’t help but wonder if it comes with best makeup remover recommendations. And while the death of Dimebag Darrell was certainly a tragedy, I have to believe he holds some kind of record for the most posthumous signature models because there are dozens and dozens of Dimebag models.

Greats of the 90s

  • by Drew

Did you ever listen to Belly? Oh man, what a fantastic band. I have a totally huge crush on Tanya Donnelly. I bet she is aging so hot. They were such a great group, though. Seriously. With connections to The Throwing Muses and The Breeders among others, how could you not adore them!

While the grunge stars were worrying about Blood tests in Seattle, Belly was rocking out with those New England roots. So good.

It should be clear to know what’s in my playlist today.

Semi-hollow

  • by Drew

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, right now, in fact. I’m no stratocaster guy. I’ve definitely had other solid body guitars that I enjoyed playing, but in recent years I am definitely into hollow bodies, or semi-hollow bodies. A chambered body is nice.

I haven’t played too many Fender acoustic guitars, but they certainly have their redeeming qualities. I suppose, as with any mega brand, you have to pay for quality. I mean, nowadays you can buy Gibbies and Fenders in places like Target and Walmart, so… yeah, you have to watch out.

Start with simple guidelines, like if it comes in a shiny box with a clear plastic see-through window, you should probably pass it by.

Giving Power

  • by Drew

So we did it. We took a project to Kickstarter. Mad Science The Card Game. All the cool kids will be talking about it any day now. I have to tell you, it’s pretty exciting. We got to 40% funding in two days. That’s pretty sweet.

It’s funny. People tell me all the time that as an independent musician I should love the Internet. Who needs record labels anymore? Well, there is some truth to that – if you’ve already had big success (most likely with the help of a record label) and have a recognizable name. THEN you can go indie and maybe do alright. But when you’re not a name? When you fell off the scene for a few years to start and family and are essentially starting over? Forget it. You’re up against 5 million teenagers with iPads and virtually unlimited free time. The problem with the Internet is the sorting. There’s such a wealth of content, it’s a massive undertaking to sift through all the garbage to find incremental nuggets of yummy.

Sure, you can easily take a gre online practice test or find out from where you recognize that actress on the latest Law and Order franchise spin off, but if you just want to browse artistic creations… often not so easy.

I do love the whole kickstarter concept, though. Funding what you believe in, proof of viability before someone goes out and blows their meager savings on a loser idea.

I just hope nobody think my idea is a loser idea. That would blow.

Aging…

  • by Drew

Another birthday is upon me, and so, on the eve of my “one year closer to destruction” celebration I offer you something special. No, not the surely expected best apidextra review here nonsense. Though I’m sure that’s why you tuned in, right?

No, this year I offer you some half-finished musings in the form of mp3s. Visit the noise page for a few recent explorations including a demo of part one of the Thorn Cycle – instrumental acoustic and some bass replete with mistakes. But who can resist the dropped-D tuning, right?

And the coup de grace, the sort of old school folk tune that started as a thought in the shower – what would be a good contemporary country music lyric? She asked me, “why whiskey” and I said, “why not?” But it got way less good old boy, and way more depressing in the writing.

And an oldie but goodie, once again re-imagined – now with guitar and half a bass line. It’s called A Reason and my girlie really likes it.

And just for fun, a thing I played around with called Everything is Better. Maybe that should have been saved for an anniversary thing when it was more polished, but I think it’s cute.

Oh Taylor My Taylor

  • by Drew

I do love my Taylor. It’s not the most expensive model or anything. Actually, it’s only a couple steps up from entry level, but from a company whose half sized guitars list at a price that keeps them away from most beginners’ hands, two steps up is pretty good. What I love is the shape. It’s like a parlor shape, they call it the Grand Auditorium style. Sounds pompous, huh?

Actually, it makes for a softer, more balanced sound. It’s great for everything from finger picking to heavy strumming. It is an ideal singer’s guitar. And for a world-class instrument maker, it’s really not that pricey. Not when you consider the quality.

What keeps it so reasonable? Laminated back and sides. That’s why the next step, the step out of the lower rungs of production and into the realm of truly exceptional guitars is such a big one. Like, many hundreds of dollars big. That would be the step away from laminated wood into all solid hardwood pieces. Oh yeah, now we’re talking rich tone. Now we hear what different woods, exotic woods, can sound like. How different they can sound.

So I continue to build my new toy fund, sometimes coveting a vintage semi-hollowbody when I’m going through a noisy rock phase, sometimes dreaming fondly of a sweet, sweet acoustic that I’d probably be afraid to take out of the case.

Oh… decisions, decisions. I suppose it’s a good thing I’m at least a grand away from either option.

I suppose.

© 2025 Drew Bancroft. All rights reserved. Totally.